Modular leaf switch



March 24, 1964 H. o. SCHWARTZ 3,126,466

MODULAR LEAF SWITCH Filed Feb. 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J6 J4 54 .5, 4I 10 4 32 6 56 70 55 {1-60 54 50 973 45 i 8 J4- 46 36 Z2 4; 45

. L\ kfi Z5 J6 Z5 54, 52 2 Z INV TOR. Z6 jar'olda c zflarfi BY 40 54 40J4 45071} 7% M h 1964 H. o. SCHWARTZ MODULAR LEAF SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed Feb. 26, 1962 United States Patent Ofifice 3,126,466 PatentedMar. 24, v.1964

3,126,466 'MonULAR LEAF swrrcrr .HaroldQSchwartz, North Tonawanda, N.Y., assignor to The Wurlitzer Company,-Chicago,-Ill.,a corporationof'Ohio Filed'Feb. 26, 1962, Ser. No.'175,'475 vZZClsinrs. (Cl.'200166)This invention relates generally .to electric switches .and moreparticularly to'electric switches which are arranged to be actuated.rnechanically.

According to one system of classification, electric switches ..arecharacterized by their mode of actuation;

and one common class of switch employs electromagnetic actuation.

When sucha switch is ;arranged:in the form of a leaf switch, it isnecessary tofashion one .of the single type of switch leaf andtheeconomies resulting there- :from. are not present .in such.ansarrangement.

Accordingly, a general object :of the present invention "is to provide anew and improvedzelectric switch arrangement.

Another object of the invention is ,to provide 'an electric switch whichis both easy and economical to produce.

Still another object of :the invention 'is .to provide a modular typeof. electric switch which incorporatesstraight leaves exclusively.

Yet another object ot'the invention is to provide a modular type ofelectric switch iniwhichthe modules are positively positioned:withrespect to each other.

A further-object of the invention is to provide .a mechanicallyactuated, leaf switch whichemploys a novel actuator arrangement.

A still further object of the invention is to provide electric switcharrangements in which thefixed leaves are resiliently supported againstthe kinetic force of the moveable ileaves.

Additional objects and features of the invention pertain totheparticular structure and arrangements whereby the aboveobjects areattained.

An electric switch in accord with the invention .in-

-cludes.a first module comprising-a resilient'leaf adapted to flex in apath transverse to-its principal plane, an electric contact on the leaf,a first body of electrically insulating material encompassing. aportionof the leaf and 'de'fining male and female-elements respectivelyon oppos'ite facestransverseto the principal plane'ofthe leaf,

and-a second body of electrically insulating material enpositively toposition the modules with respect to each other.

'Theinvention, bothto its'structure and mode of operation, will bebetter understood'by reference to the'following disclosure and drawingsforming a part thereof,

wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an electric switch arrangementconstructed in accordance'with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along the section 2-2 of 'with the illustratedembodiment.

tions of the leaves 36 to define an actuator member.

FIG. 3-is an enlarged view .taken through the section 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a'viewtaken'through thesection 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is .a top perspective view of the switch component incorporatedin the arrangement of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of two of the .com-

ponents shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view taken through the section FIG. '8 is a topperspective view of the switch components incorporated in thearrangement o'f'FIG. 7.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, specifically .to FIG. 1, aswitch arrangement indicated generally by the numeral '10 will be seento include a'structural member 12 and a structural member 14, fashionedfor example from sheet steel and spaced-apart to definea switch banks inwhich the individual switches are disposed in vparallel rows.

In accordance with an important feature of the invention, the switches16 and 18 are of modular construction; and'turningto aconsideration ofFIGS. 3.6, the switch 16 will be seen to comprise a spacer member '24disposed against the structural member'14 in'the space between themembers 1 .2 and .14. The switch 16 also includes "a 'switchmodule 26, aswitch module 28 and a rigid arm '30 which components are stacked overthe spacer 24 in the-order named. The spacer 24-, the modules 26 and Z8and the rigid arm 30 are mounted to the structural member 14 by meansofa self-tapping screw 32 which advantageou'sly passes throughaligned'bores 34'fashionedrespectively in the several components.

With specific reference to FIGS..5 and 6,.the "switch module 26 will benoted as comprisinga pair ofla-terally spaced apart, parallel disposedleaves '36 which are fabricated from a resilient, electricallyconductive material. lvloreover, the leaves 36 are arranged in theformof elongated rectangular parallelepipe'ds adapted to flex in a pathtransverse to their principal plane. The relative position of the leaves36 is preserved by molding the leaves as 'inserts in a body '38 ofelectrically insulating material,

such as for example nylon. The body 38is .formed with studs or maleelements 40 protruding from its uppersurface, as is shown in 'FIG. 5,and with acircular recess 42,-and an oval recess 44 comprising femaleelements penetratinginto its .opposite face, as is shown in FIG.'6. Thebody 38 encompasses a medial portion of the leaves 36,.and the male andfemale elements are disposed'transversely of .the principal ,plane ofthe leaves inaccordance The purpose of the male elements 40-and'thefemale elements .42 and 44'will become. apparent shortly.

Themodule 26walso comprises a rivet-type .electric contact '46fixedit0eachof the'leaves after molding of the body .38. The module 26 alsoincludes a'body "48 of electrically insulating material moldedaboutterminalpor- The body 48 is, in accordance with theinvention,'selected to 'be .of wedge-shape with the narrow edge of .thewedge "facingthe body-33 whereby to cooperate with an opera-'with'lateral notches 50'forfacility in attaching electrical leadsthereto.

Continuing with'reference'to FIGS. 5 and6,the module 28 will be seen toinclude a pair of leaves 52 fabricated of a resilient, electricallyconductive material and disposed in parallel, laterally spaced-apartrelationship, medial portions of the leaves 52 being molded into a body54 of electrically insulating material. Electric contacts 56 of therivet-type are fixed to terminal portions of the leaves 52, and theopposite terminal portions of the leaves are provided with confronting,lateral notches 58 to facilitate attachment of electric leads not shown.The leaves 52, like the leaves 36, are fashioned in the shape ofsubstantially elongated rectangular parallelepipeds; and the body 54,like the body 38, incorporates abbreviated, cylindrical studs or maleelements 60 extending from one face, as well as a circular recess 62 andan oval recess 64 comprising female elements penetrating into theopposite face of the body.

When the modules 26 and 28 are stacked together to form a switch, themale elements 40 interfit with the female elements 62 and 64, the ovalcharacter of element 64 accommodating slight imperfections in theorientation of the several interfitting elements. With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, the interfitting of the male elements of module 26 andthe female elements of module 28 will be seen to position the modulespositively with respect to each other, thus aligning and preserving therelative position of the contacts 46 and 56.

The rigid arm 30 is also advantageously positioned in a positive mannerwith respect to the switch modules 26 and 28. Accordingly, and withreference to FIG. 5, the rigid arm 30 will be seen fashioned with acircular aperture 66 and an oval aperture 68 disposed on opposite sidesof the bore 34 in order cooperatively to receive the male elements 60 ofmodule 28 as is well shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

With the arm 30 and the modules 26 and 28 positively positioned withrespect to each other and with this relationship preserved by means ofclamping these components against the spacer 24 using screw 32, a pad 70of soft, resilient material, such as felt, is secured to the end of arm30 to act between the arm and the leaves 52 of module 28 as is shown inFIG. 3. Pad 70 supports the leaves 52 against the kinetic force imposedthereon by the flexing of leaves 36 so as to cause interengagementbetween the cont-acts 46 and '56. Proper positioning of the contact 56results.

Returning to FIG. 1, the operator 20 will be seen pivotally mounted onthe structural member 12 by means of a shaft 72 which is supported inbrackets, not shown. The operator 20 specifically includes a rockablebody 74 adapted for manual manipulation, a leg 76 depending from thebody 74 into actuatable relationship with the body 48 of module 26, anda triangular formation 78 which cooperates with a deflected end 80 of aleaf spring 82 which is riveted or otherwise suitably fastened to thestructural member 12. The structural member 12 is fashioned with a slot84 which passes the leg 76 into actuatable relationship with the body48; and upon rockable movement of the body 74 between the two extremepositions established by the cooperation of formation 78 and spring 82,the tip of leg 76 will move through an arcuate path intercepting theplane of the upper face of body 48. Continued movement of the tip of leg76 in a generally clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 will cause theleaves 36 to flex downwardly because of the inclination of the upperface of the body 48 whereupon to separate the normally closed contacts56 and 46. It is to be recognized that rocking of the body 74 so as tocause the tip of leg 76 to move in a counterclockwise direction asviewed in FIG. 1 will eventually separate the leg 76 and the body 48whereby to release the leaves 36 to the resiliency thereof whereby toreturn the contacts 46 and 56 to their normally closed configuration.

Switch 18 is constructed in a manner similar to switch 16. Accordingly,like numerals have been used to designate like parts in the twoswitches, the sufiix letter a being employed to distinguish the elementsassociated with switch 18.

Switch 18 differs from switch 16 primarily in that the module 26a issandwiched between two of the modules 28a as is well shown in FIGS. 7and 8. Thus, switch 18 is arranged to be a double-pole, double-throwswitch whereas switch 16 is arranged to be a double-pole, singlethrowswitch. From a comparison of the switches 16 and 18, it will becomeapparent that the switch modules of the present invention may be stackedin numerous configurations to define different kinds of switches fordifferent circumstances.

Whereas a pad of resilient material 70:: supports the leaves 52a of themodule 28a which is disposed between module 2611 and arm 30a, a pad 86of soft, resilient material, such as felt, acts between structuralmember 14 and the blades 52a of the module 28a which is disposedabutting the spacer 24a. Thus, both of the blades carrying fixedcontacts are supported against the kinetic force of the movable leaves52a.

As will be recognized, manipulation of the operator 22 results in leg76a controlling the flexing of leaves 36a and a resultant selectiveengagement of contacts 46a with either of the upper or the lowercontacts 5611. In other respects, operation of the switch 18 is similarto the operation to switch 16.

The specific examples herein shown and described are illustrative only.Various changes in structure may appear to those skilled in the art; andthese changes are to be understood as forming a part of this inventioninsofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. An electric switch comprising: a first module including a resilientleaf of electrically conductive material adapted to flex in a pathtransverse to its principal plane, an electric contact on said leaf, afirst body of electrically insulating material encompassing a portion ofsaid leaf and defining male and female elements respectively on oppositefaces transverse to the principal plane of said leaf, and a second bodyof electrically insulating material encompassing a portion of said leafspaced-apart from said first body to define an actuator member, saidsecond body of insulating material being wedge-shaped whereby tocooperate with an operator movable in an arcuate path intersecting theplane of one face of said wedge-shaped body; and a second moduleincluding a leaf of electrically conductive material, an electriccontact on said last mentioned leaf and a body of electricallyinsulating material encompassing a portion of said last mentioned leafand defining male and female elements respectively on opposite faces,said last mentioned body being stacked with said first mentioned bodyaligning said contacts in confronting relationship, the male elements ofone body interfitting with the female elements of the other bodypositively to position said modules with respect to each other.

2. An electric switch arrangement comprising: first and secondstructural members spaced-apart to define a switch housing; a firstswitch module including a resilient leaf of electrically conductivematerial adapted to flex in a path transverse its principal plane, anelectric contact on said leaf, a first body of electrically insulatingmaterial encompassing a portion of said leaf and defining male andfemale elements respectively on opposite faces transverse the principalplane of said leaf, and a second body of electrically insulatingmaterial encompassing a portion of said leaf spaced-apart from firstbody to define an actuator member, said second body of insulatingmaterial .being wedge-shaped; a second switch module including a leaf ofelectrically conductive material, an electric contact on said lastmentioned leaf and defining male and female elements respectively onopposite faces, said last mentioned body being stacked with said firstmentioned body aligning said contacts in confronting relationship, themale elements of one body interfitting with the female elements of theother body positively to position said modules with respect to eachother; fastening means mounting said switch modules to said firststructural member; and switch operator means pivotally mounted on saidsecond structural member, including a leg extending into actuatablerelationship with the second insulating body of said first switch moduleand mounted to pivot in an armate path intersecting the plane of saidsecond insulating body, said leg being reversibly pivotable from aposition of disengagement spaced from said second body, toward thenarrow end of said second body and into engagement with progressivelythicker sections of said second body whereby to flex the leaf of saidfirst switch module for selectively opening and closing said contacts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS947,155 Giles et a1 Ian. 18, 1910 1,161,192 Cook Nov. 23, 1915 2,734,257Jonsson Feb. 14, 1956 2,748,204 Woods May 29, 1956 10 2,986,621 MidgleyMay 30,1961

1. AN ELECTRIC SWITCH COMPRISING: A FIRST MODULE INCLUDING A RESILIENTLEAF OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL ADAPTED TO FLEX IN A PATHTRANSVERSE TO ITS PRINCIPAL PLANE, AN ELECTRIC CONTACT ON SAID LEAF, AFIRST BODY OF ELECTRICALLY INSULATING MATERIAL ENCOMPASSING A PORTION OFSAID LEAF AND DEFINING MALE AND FEMALE ELEMENTS RESPECTIVELY ON OPPOSITEFACES TRANSVERSE TO THE PRINCIPAL PLANE OF SAID LEAF, AND A SECOND BODYOF ELECTRICALLY INSULATING MATERIAL ENCOMPASSING A PORTION OF SAID LEAFSPACED-APART FROM SAID FIRST BODY TO DEFINE AN ACTUATOR MEMBER, SAIDSECOND BODY OF INSULATING MATERIAL BEING WEDGE-SHAPED WHEREBY TOCOOPERATE WITH AN OPERATOR MOVABLE IN AN ARCUATE PATH INTERSECTING THEPLANE OF ONE FACE OF SAID WEDGE-SHAPED BODY; AND A SECOND MODULEINCLUDING A LEAF OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL, AN ELECTRICCONTACT ON SAID LAST MENTIONED LEAF AND A BODY OF ELECTRICALLYINSULATING MATERIAL ENCOMPASSING A PORTION OF SAID LAST MENTIONED LEAFAND DEFINING MALE AND FEMALE ELEMENTS RESPECTIVELY ON OPPOSITE FACES,SAID LAST MENTIONED BODY BEING STACKED WITH SAID FIRST MENTIONED BODYALIGNING SAID CONTACTS IN CONFRONTING RELATIONSHIP, THE MALE ELEMENTS OFONE BODY INTERFITTING WITH THE FEMALE ELEMENTS OF THE OTHER BODYPOSITIVELY TO POSITION SAID MODULES WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER.